china has struck a $1.4 billion deal with Zambia and Tanzania to breathe new life into the ageing Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line, a project that has long been central to the region’s copper exports. Lusaka confirmed the agreement on Monday, describing it as a major step in strengthening both trade and infrastructure.
The pact will fund a full-scale overhaul of the 50-year-old railway, including new locomotives, passenger coaches, and freight wagons. Officials say the goal is to restore TAZARA’s full carrying capacity so copper and cobalt from Zambia’s Copperbelt can move faster and more efficiently to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling Indian Ocean port.
This upgrade comes at a critical moment. The United States is pushing its own rival project—the Lobito Corridor—linking Angola, Zambia, and the DRC to the Atlantic Ocean. With both superpowers investing heavily, Africa’s mineral trade routes are turning into the latest stage for global competition.
Analysts say a modernised TAZARA could reduce dependence on South Africa’s overburdened ports, which have struggled with delays and bottlenecks in recent years. Shorter transit times and lower costs would be a major win for exporters in the region.
The railway also carries deep symbolism. Built in the 1970s with Chinese financing, TAZARA was one of Beijing’s earliest big-ticket African projects. This fresh injection of funds reinforces China’s long-standing presence in Africa’s transport sector while also ensuring continued access to vital raw materials.
Zambian officials believe the deal will create jobs during construction and boost cross-border trade once the line is fully operational. Tanzania has hailed the project as a catalyst for regional growth, signalling that the old “Uhuru Railway” may soon reclaim its place as a backbone of East and Southern Africa’s economy.
